Frank De Boer was quite outspoken about his goals for the coming season: retaining the title and reaching the knock-out stages of either the Champions League or the Europa League. Much will depend on whether the club will retain the services of captain Jan Vertonghen and right full-back Gregory van der Wiel. With goal keeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s contract expiring in 2012, the club will be keen to cooperate on a deal seeing him leave, as rumored, to AS Roma this week. Understudy Kenneth Vermeer already showed his qualities during earlier spells in the first team squad and will be ready to perform at that level again.

Frank de Boer inherited a squad playing a double pivot in front of their back four with one central playmaker, which he immediately changed to a single holding midfielder with two probing central midfielders. The trade of Demi de Zeeuw for Theo Janssen fits into that plan perfectly. Janssen’s excellent vision and passing skill provides De Boer with the perfect opportunity to switch to a deep-lying playmaker system rather than the single holding midfielder that we saw during the second part of the 2010/11 season. This will also allow central midfielders Eriksen and Siem de Jong more on the receiving end of offensive passes with new striker Kolbeinn Sightorsson demanded to free up space for them by applying false nine principles.

Apart from Janssen and Sigthorsson, Ajax also secured the services of creative midfielder Thulani Serero, who impressed as player of the year in the 2010/11 South African Premiership, and winger Derk Boerrigter, last season’s Jupiler League player of the year. Should Ajax indeed retain all of their current outfield players, De Boer’s main concerns over the season will consist of the choices he will have to make as a result of the strength in depth of the current squad.

Vurnon Anita impressed as a holding midfielder during the latter stages of the past season, but the arrival of Janssen indicates his best chances of playing time might be a return to a full-back role, competing with Van der Wiel and rising star Boilesen. The two offensive midfield spots will presumably be taken by Eriksen and De Jong, which will see Serero and Uruguayan international Lodeiro in fierce competition for playing time. Sigthorsson looks a sure starter as the central striker, with El Hamdaoui definitely on his way out and Ajax rumored to be looking for an understudy here. Finally, wing starters Ebecilio and Sulejmani will see Özbiliz and Boerrigter ready to take over any time.

Twente

Manager: Co Adriaanse (since July 2011)

Formation: 4-3-3

Key player gone: Theo Janssen

Key acquisition: Willem Janssen

For the second time in succession Twente will start a new season with a new manager. Michel Preud’homme traded his Twente contract for a managerial position at Al Shabab Riad and in Co Adriaanse Twente found an experienced Eredivisie manager, ironically moving in the reverse direction as his predecessor after being relieved from his duties managing Qatar’s Olympic team earlier this year.

With a managerial change taking place it’s risky to state firm things about the tactics of the coming season, but some form of 4-3-3 looks the best fit to both squad and manager. Adriaanse stated some interesting things about his intentions with last season’s revelation, Belgian international Nacer Chadli. While mostly used as an inside left winger, the new Twente manager will aim to play Chadli in a central playmaking role behind their lone striker. This will allow him to connect with Twente’s main playmaker Bryan Ruiz, who drifts in from the right wing with large amounts of positional freedom. Any form of double playmaker system would be new to the Eredivisie, but a Dutch based version of Palermo’s Pastore-Ilicic tandem would be more than welcome.

To complete Twente’s strike force, Swedish international Emir Bajrami is expected to gain more playing time on the left wing after only completing only one full game despite 21 appearances during last season’s Eredivisie campaign. The choice to move Chadli to the centre of the pitch would force either De Jong or Janko out of the starting eleven, with the Austrian target man looking to be the most likely victim, although he may still prove very valuable as a ‘plan B’ target man striker.

Twente’s midfield will have to do without Theo Janssen. The omnipresent midfield was an integral part of Twente’s success of the past two seasons and the 2010/11 Eredivisie player of the year might be dearly missed in Enschede. Adriaanse’s move directing Chadli to a central position may be seen to fill in the void of creativity in the central part of the pitch, left by Janssen’s departure. Behind Chadli, holding midfielder Wout Brama, still only 24 years old but with 218 matches for Twente under his belt already and new signing Willem Janssen will complete the midfield three. Willem Janssen started all 34 Eredivisie matches for Roda last season and his energetic runs will add to the dynamism of Twente’s midfield.

After finishing the Eredivisie in third place for two consecutive seasons, which does not live up to the high expectations of his appointment as PSV manager, Fred Rutten will try and take PSV back to where they were at the end of all but one of the ten seasons prior to his appointment: first or second place. In order to do so, his options to bring in major signings seemed limited. Until the 14m transfer of winger Balasz Dszudszak and a deal selling the ground under their stadium to the city of Eindhoven that is…

Hungarian winger Dszudszak was hardly the only player leaving PSV, as central defender ‘Maza’ Rodriguez, veteran striker Koevermans, talented Brazilian striker Reis and, during the winter transfer window, captain Ibrahim Afellay all left the club for a combined fee of 4m. Striker Berg returned to HSV after his one year loan deal ended.

PSV re-invested Dszudszak’s transfer money in three presumed first team starters. Winger Dries Mertens and holding midfielder Kevin Strootman was transferred in from Utrecht and creative central midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum from Feyenoord. With that, the void of three departed strikers still remains to be filled. The only natural striker left in PSV’s current first team squad is Género Zeefuik, a home grown player who only started one Eredivisie match in his career so far. Alternatives could be provided by playing winger Lens or offensive midfielder Toivonen in that position too. As a potential transfer target Ajax’ out of favor striker Mounir El Hamdaoui is mentioned, but no deal has been done yet.

In tactical terms Rutten’s third season may see a mini-revolution. The disappointing results of the past two seasons induced quite some criticism on Rutten’s tendency to stick with two defensive minded central midfielders. And see, so far in the pre-season friendlies, PSV has appeared with a midfield three consisting of Strootman in a single holding role with the pair of Toivonen and Wijnaldum providing offensive input. It remains to be seen if the void of strikers will call Ola Toivonen back to that position, but early signs point towards more offensive intentions by Rutten.
In conclusion

Ajax will have to be wary of defensive key players like Vertonghen and Van der Wiel making late transfer window departures, Twente seem to have a plan in place to deal with Janssen’s departure and PSV showed offensive intentions during the pre-season friendlies. It can hardly be overstressed that the transfer window still lasts for over a month and early results in the competitive matches may lead to changes of tactical directions, but the outline for another exciting and close Eredivisie title challenge is here!

To comment on the 'In conclusion' part: Vertonghen is def. Ajax' key player, MVP. If he leaves Ajax this Summer, then Ajax will have a very hard time soluting that. Ajax are in my opinion clear favourites to win the league, but without Vertonghen I'd change my vote to Twente. If Van der Wiel leaves, I believe Ajax will have no problem staying strong. Midfielder Anita is a very good right-back in my opinion, though he's a starter in midfield.

Why isn't Stekelenburg mentioned, BTW? He's the most likely 'key player' to leave. Obviously when he leaves Vermeer will take his spot. Even though Vermeer is a good goalkeeper, Stekelenburg would be a big loss. Stekelenburg should move on asap though. He's too good to stick around in Eredivisie, and since he has only 1 year left on his contract Ajax feel forced selling him now because they can't afford letting good players go for free. Also without Stekelenburg I'd eye Ajax as favourites though. He seems on his way to Roma for quite cheap (6 mio + 2,25 mio if Roma goes into CL group stages within 4 years) is rumoured.

Ajax will win the league again, Twente wil challenge. PSV kinda need have issues like Bayern.

I disagree. Twente will win the league, Ajax will challenge and become 2nd. PSV have no chance. I wonder if AZ can finish 3rd instead of them. AZ played really well against PSV, unlike PSV (though unfortunate with Wijnaldum's poor finishing).

Oh and, Ajax may have won 1-4 vs De Graafschap, they were poor. Ajax midfield is a huge concern as long as Frank de Boer plays Theo Jansse as DM instead of Anita. Ajax midfield was useless without possession. No one in midfield could capture the ball when De Graafschap had possession, hell, they didn't even put pressure on them. Every decent side would have humilated this Ajax. De Graafschap is a very weak team, yet were leading fully deserved at some point. De Boer was being a noob.

Besides that, and Twente has got a way better coach, Twente are the stronger team. Their attack is superiour to any other Dutch side. As long as Ruiz stays, Twente are clear favourites. He is really why Twente are capable of winning many games when time is running out, or simply earlier during the game of course. Twente got an awesome defense + goalkeeper. Ajax' defense is quality too. Ajax keeping Vertonghen is Ajax' MVP. Wisgerhof is most valuable in Twente's defense, but Ruiz is their MVP. Whoever wants to win the league, must keep their MVP. It's not unlikely Ruiz will join Spurs though. If Ruiz leaves Twente, then Ajax are favourites to win the league.

Oh and I forgot to say something about PSV, I guess. They are simply not as good as the other two. Their coach is meh, they have no goalscoring striker, their defense is worrying, and simply don't have the quality like the other two. Twente have the real star of the league in Ruiz. And even though Ajax signed Theo Janssen, who is awarded as best player of the league last season, he won't be that this season. He's playing a way too defensive role for Ajax, and will most likely disappoint. And Ajax midfield will do also if De Boer keeps benching Anita.

During the current transfer window have clubs from the Premier League and Serie A so far, by far the most money spent on new players. Dutch club earned the majority of transfers, while English clubs on balance the most money lost to player transfers.

Catenaccio brought the spending of clubs from the major European leagues map. Figure below shows how much money the clubs in the highest division of the country a net spending on transfers (total income minus total expenditure). This shows that English clubs to date gross spending more money on players (365 million) than they received in the sale of players (195 million) .* There were a total of 170 million euros paid to players from other leagues .

Transfer balance of clubs from different leagues, expressed in millions of euros.

The most expensive players are concentrated in England

In any competition, the difference between income and expenditure on transfers (170 million euros) as large as in English .** By comparison, by clubs from the German one. Bundesliga, Serie A and French Ligue 1 was around 37 million euros spent more than was received in transfer fees. The Portuguese and Spanish First Division gave more than twenty million more than was coming in the Turkish league came to 16 million on players from other leagues.

The main difference between the English and the other leagues clearly shows that the money - and thus the most expensive players - is increasingly concentrated in the English league. Players from around the world for millions brought to England as players far less often (or for much less money) walk in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile there rages a remarkable willingness to purchase in the Ukrainian league. With a deficit of 34 million euros - so similar to French, German and Italian league - is roughly spent more than receiving. The biggest clubs in the country got expensive players from South America and Europe, but there were no significant outgoing transfers across. Apparently there is money in Ukraine to get players, but there is little talent that is sold to other European clubs.

Training Competitions

The opposite occurs in Serbia. There were many players sold for about one or two million euros, with little spending on transfers were made. The clubs from Serbia received over 24 million euros more than it spent to transfer funds, which largely was due to the sale of Stefan Savic to Manchester City for 12 million euros.

The Belgian Competition received more than it paid millions to players. Most money was earned Lukaku (22m> Chelsea), Courtois (9m> Chelsea), Witsel (8m> Benfica) and Perisic (6m> Dortmund). Belgian league does indeed so valuable talents that represent a strong market in Europe.

Dutch mercantilism

The Belgians and Serbs make it convenient, but true entrepreneurial spirit found in the Netherlands. Our league is financially brought the best from all competitions in Europe this summer .*** Dutch clubs were collectively up to 40 million euros credited. The Premier League is sometimes "training" or "flow"-called competition, but is also quite fair. And Dutch clubs fill this role with fervor - and lays them no harm.

The Dutch league is also regularly 'Mickey Mouse' competition called. If we are spending on transfers as a measure of the stature of a competition would take below shows that the name would be justified. Netherlands, with 38 million euros in total, not near the big five leagues. Even by Portuguese and Turkish clubs are still twice as published by Dutch clubs.

Spending on transfers of clubs from different leagues, expressed in millions of euros.

Big spenders

The five biggest leagues is also the most money. Italy is concerned that spending on transfers leader: until now, no less than 388 euros spent on players. This was largely blamed on the revived Juventus (75 million euros), but Napoli (60m) and AS Roma (50) did a pretty penny in the bag.

In the Premier League millions spent by the usual suspects. Manchester City flexed course the crown with the winning Aguero and issued a total of 71 million euros. United and Liverpool follow with 57 million. Chelsea (44m) did this year was relatively easy.

As one would expect following the Spanish league at arm's length with a total of 246 million. Malaga gave all the injected 58 million, while Barcelona (with Fabregas included) and Real Madrid both 55 million spent.

The French and German league is already considerably less money. A partial explanation is that German clubs are bound by much stricter financial guidelines than clubs from other countries, so they simply tend to spend less. While the big spending especially from England, Italy and Spain and the states are soaked with oil money, like the German league no longer need to be reached when it comes to the big money. In contrast, German clubs by the strict rules are usually much healthier than other clubs.

but yeah, he shined at a youth cup, got a nice transfer out of it, all Dutch people were laughing their pants off because of it. He wasn't even impressing at his current club (NAC Breda) when Blackburn signed him.

Actually whats more of a surprise is Rutten actually doing something right ...ditching the ******ed 4-3-3 for the 4-2-3-1,dropping the cancer that was Marcelo and Ojo and most importantly moving Toivonen deeper ...Lens did okay ,but they desperately need a proper CF ...

Strootman ...unlucky not to score with a great run

Mertens is ridiculously talented ... great game by him ...MOTM

Dejrick was good ...once they get a better RB they will have a solid defense

Best form actually came whilst playing a similar position for Feyenoord towards the end of last season ...very good movement (late/well timed runs) into the box ....a la Hamsik/Lampard ....can't quite place him as a player ,because most of the time I've seen him out wide,only recently at CM

Fact is STROOTMAN has been pooting on most midfields in Eredivisie so anyone will look better than they are

And suddenly all was calm. Whereas Eredivisie clubs have usually completed their transfer business long before the window slams shut, numerous late transfers took place this time around. Most of the deals were completed well before midnight, but players such as Bryan Ruiz and Mounir El Hamdaoui didn't know where they would play the rest of the season right until the closing stages of the 2011 summer transfer window.

It all kicked off with PSV's announcement that they had agreed terms with Groningen over the transfer of Tim Matavz. The striker underwent a medical in Slovenia, where he is preparing for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Estonia with the national side, before inking a five-year deal with the Eindhoven giants.

PSV weren't done just yet though with the signing of Matavz as they announced the capture of promising youngster Jetro Willems from Sparta on a three-year deal only hours later. By then, Otman Bakkal had already left Eindhoven for a one-season loan deal with Feyenoord, while Genero Zeefuik was shipped out on loan to NEC.

Bakkal was not the only new arrival in Rotterdam though as Feyenoord also managed to secure the services of Manchester City's John Guidetti on loan until the end of the season to finally add the long awaited striker to their squad.

It wasn't all positive news for Feyenoord though as the Rotterdam giants lost key player Leroy Fer to Twente in a deal worth close to €6 million. Aside from Fer, the Enschede side also lured Brazilian youngster Gladstony to the Eredivisie on a one-year loan deal.

However, Twente were dealt a blow in the closing stages of the summer transfer window as their undisputed star player Bryan Ruiz completed his transfer to Premier League outfit Fulham.

Meanwhile, things were relatively quite in the Amsterdam ArenA. Ajax had already completed a move for NEC's Jasper Cillessen earlier this week and they appeared to be done on the transfer market. Nevertheless, the Dutch champions surprised with the signing of Russian striker Dmitry Bulykin from Anderlecht on a free transfer.

Elsewhere, Groningen were forced to make a move on the transfer market as well following the sudden departure of Matavz, but the Green-White Army appeared to be well prepared as they presented David Texeira as their new striker only hours after their current top-scorer said farewell to the Euroborg.

NEC welcomed home Hungary international Krisztian Vadocz after a three-year spell with Osasuna, but young attacker Erton Fejzullahu left Nijmegen on a temporary basis.

The majority of the other Eredivisie teams remained pretty quiet on deadline day, either because they lacked the financial resources to do anything further or because they had already completed their business long ago.

Dutchmen abroad

The window also saw plenty of Dutch players abroad switching clubs and several top players were on the move on deadline day. Tricky winger Eljero Elia left Hamburg for Juventus, while Canadian-born Dutchman Jonathan de Guzman finally got his dream move from Mallorca to Villarreal. Finally, Royston Drenthe's spell with Real Madrid came to an end as he moved to Everton, while young left-back Patrick van Aanholt left Chelsea for Wigan Athletic on a one-year loan move.